California’s state parks are mostly identified with long walks in the redwoods, camping under the stars and beachcombing.

But as the state’s population evolves — in color, age and recreational tastes — so too must its parks, say those developing a new vision for the 280-park system that draws 70 million visitors a year.

The Parks Forward Commission will be in San Diego Monday as part of a statewide swing to gather information and the public’s advice before drafting recommendations on how the state can polish what some say is its tarnished crown jewel.

More immediately, the commission is looking at ways to reverse tumbling revenues and restore public trust in the wake of revelations of financial mismanagement.

More long-term, commissioners hope to offer proposals to make parks more inviting and more accessible, particularly in addressing the interests of the growing number of Latinos and younger people married to their apps, GPS and Google.

“There is a tremendous opportunity through the Parks Forward (Commission) to better connect with Latinos. The values are already there, and shared,” said Marisa Quiroz of the San Diego Foundation, one of the listed speakers. “I am excited for what these public conversations will bring and see positive things on the horizon for increasing access to the outdoors and connecting more people to nature.”

A draft report suggesting answers to that question is due out in April with a final set of recommendations scheduled to be delivered to governor and lawmakers by September.

Some possibilities bantered about: different entry fee tiers, connectivity to the Internet so people can get a breadth of information on the road and once on the trail, and different activities such as church soccer games amid barbecues.

The Department of Parks and Recreation has been in crisis for a number of years, dating back to when then Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger threatened to padlock dozens in a cost-cutting move, as did Gov. Jerry Brown. Both retreated, thanks to the public outcry and the response by local governments and nonprofit agencies that raised money for threatened parks.

Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park is one of those reaching a donor agreement. It has raised about $200,000 in contributions to keep the popular day use and campground facilities open.

“We had to hit the ground running,” said chairman Rick Barclay. The group is in the middle of its annual fundraising drive.

Like many other groups, Friends of Palomar faced some backlash when it was revealed last year that state parks officials in Sacramento squirreled away $54 million even while parks were being threatened with being shut down.

“We never had anyone ask for money back,” Barclay said. However, “people were tapping the brakes on pledges.”

The state has signed about 55 agreements with private interests to keep parks open.